By combining English and Latin in equal parts you'll have the opportunity to study the literature of the English-speaking world alongside improving your language skills in Latin. Learning Latin provides insights not only into ancient culture but also into the workings of language and construction of literature in general and as such is the perfect complement to the study of English.

From Beowulf to the Booker Prize, English offers you the opportunity to study the full historical range of literature in English as well as the latest developments in the field, and even to pursue your own creative writing.

You can discover the earliest works in English, deepen your knowledge of Shakespeare, find out what is great about Renaissance literature, darken your view of the 18th century, and unpack the Victorians. The course's structure allows you to develop a sound understanding of key periods, genres, authors, and ideas as well as choosing from a huge range of options. You can study Modernism, Postmodernism and American literature, explore literary criticism, develop your own creative writing, and analyse the latest developments in global literatures in English.

You will gain original insights into the whole range of English literature from its beginnings to its latest developments, ranging from Chaucer and Shakespeare to Virginia Woolf, James Joyce and Salman Rushdie and study unusual, non-traditional subjects such as the body in the 18th century or time in modern literature or courses incorporating visual arts and cinema.

The Latin element of the course is designed to develop your language skills beyond your advanced level. Over three years you’ll become a specialist in both the language and literature of the ancient Romans. Studying Latin at Royal Holloway will enable you to delve into a wide range of non-linguistic subjects too, including classical archaeology and ancient philosophy as well as ancient history and classical literature in translation.

Latin is part of our Classics Department, where the quality of research that informs our teaching and a friendly, individual approach which shapes the way we guide our students combine to create an unbeaten academic experience. We have a thriving Classics Society that contributes to the friendly and sociable atmosphere of our department.

Our degree courses not only promote academic achievement but also the means to hone the life-skills necessary to excel, post-graduation.

Specifically, studying Latin takes discipline and application, develops analytical and verbal reasoning skills and promotes both the expansion and use of a rich and varied vocabulary. By choosing to study this intellectually demanding discipline you will develop a broad range of skills which are highly prized by employers, including:

• the ability to communicate views and present arguments clearly and coherently both verbally and in writing
• the ability to critically digest, analyse and summarise content
• time management and the discipline to meet deadlines
• organisation and research skills
• problem-solving skills and capability

Right now, we're running work placement schemes with The Daily Telegraph, the BBC's Newsnight and a number of publishing companies. Take part in one of our schemes and you'll boost your employability: not just with something that looks good on your CV, but with real skills to help you understand and prepare for a career. In the course itself, we put a strong emphasis on your employability. So the skills you'll gain won't just be for the field of English study – though many of our students go on to postgraduate study there – but in areas like research, presentation, teamwork, negotiation and communication. 

The skills you gain from our degrees, like research, presentation, teamwork, negotiation and communication, will prepare you for a broad range of careers.  It’s why many Royal Holloway graduates go on to careers in law, journalism, government, publishing, finances, business, teaching, marketing and the media. Employers like Channel 4, multinational law firm SJ Berwin, The Guildhall (City of London), accountancy firm KPMG, the Natural History Museum, Customs and Immigration, London Advertising, Broadstone Pensions and Investments and the Armed Forces have all recently recruited Royal holloway alumni from the Department of Classics.